Social networks among ethnic entrepreneurs

This study provides insight to the factors stimulating ethnic and immigrant business formation. Understanding these factors is a continuation of the exploration of ethnic and immigrant economic advancement. Theories of immigrant and ethnic business formation are reviewed focusing on the social context from which business formation decisions are made. The social context scope narrows to focus on the role of social networks in encouraging business formation decisions. This research uses original survey data to measure the frequency of Mexican-origin business owners' involvement in social networks as measured by community organization affiliation. It further explores the nature of social networks in business formation through case studies of interviews with individual business owners.